I’m heading to Nashville to hang out with hundreds of counselors next week, and I want to “bring” you with me… You’ll be able to participate in the enlightenment and discussion on our Facebook Page. I look forward to seeing you there. And just to clear up any confusion…this AACC is NOT: American Association of Cereal Chemists American Association of Clinical Chemistry American Association of Community Colleges American Association of Counting Crows American Association of Coughing Clowns American Association of Candid Cameras American Association of Claustrophobic Clams …
Ask Joy Is the right thing at the wrong time actually the wrong thing? My Response The video below was part of, what I affectionately call, my Paddle Board Series, shot spontaneously by my brother while I was in Michigan. Now, weeks after the shoot, I can’t shake this question; the more I contemplate it, the more different scenarios play out in my mind. Just a few that could fall under the “right thing, wrong time” umbrella include, the other person is: married; lives across …
Guys: Since we know there may be varying opinions due to different personalities, I thought it might be good to directly ask you this question so you could shed some light for our female readers. It’s along the lines of the question I answered a few weeks ago in an Ask Joy Video. (See video here: Part One & Part Two) Ask Joy I met an amazing man last month who I really like a lot! How do I let him know I’m interested in …
Ask Joy How do I know if I’ve heard from God before entering into a relationship? My Response (Note: We shot these very last minute before I left Michigan. We didn’t do a sound check hence the poor audio. However, my brother IS a fantastic videographer and I am so grateful for his help when I am home in the mitten state. Check out his site: Motivity Pictures) Questions Does waiting to hear from God ever paralyze you from making decisions? Do you even incorporate God …
Ask Joy I finally decided to sign up for E-Harmony. It took a lot of courage. I want to know your thoughts on online match sites. I am still very apprehensive about the whole thing. P.S. I am a teacher, and our school mascot is the unicorn. My Response Question How can you bring community into your online dating experience, and not become isolated? Didn’t catch the series that I referenced about asking questions? Start HERE
Ask Joy I have a friend who is currently dating someone who is not a Christ follower. She knows I disapprove and, because of this, I haven’t really talked to her in months because I don’t want to hear about their relationship. Am I wrong in not speaking to her? I don’t know how to be a friend without her thinking I’m OK with them dating. My Response It’s good that you are trying to figure out how to be her friend; however, not …
This summer I attended what I imagine business people calling a “power lunch.” I was invited by the core team of 4-Word women. All the other women were in their work attire, and I showed up with my bike helmet. Oops. One of the incredible women I met was Stephanie. Thanks to my helmet in tow, I found out she also loves to ride. We set out on our bikes one day after work and found ourselves in Camas, Washington breaking for dinner at the fantastic Twilight …
Ask Joy I met this guy and I have a big crush on him, but I know the Bible says that men are supposed to pursue women. So should I just give up on my crush? Should I just drop it? Who Pursues? Part 1 My Response I think that fear is at the root of why we deny our desire to pursue or be pursued. Question What has been your experience? Men: What prevents you from pursuing? Women: What motivates you to pursue?
The flower I brought you this morning. Alberta told me to keep it as a reminder of you. Dear June, I’m sitting in my office a little stunned thinking, “I should have gone to visit on Saturday or Sunday.” I know you wouldn’t want me to live in shame, but I do feel an overwhelming sadness at losing you so quickly. I will find your family so I can tell them how much you meant to me, but right now I want to write out …
Ask Joy I met this guy and I have a big crush on him, but I know the Bible says that men are supposed to pursue women. So should I just give up on my crush? Should I just drop it? My Response Well…scripture doesn’t say that. Question Men: Do you have a sense that women want to be pursued in our culture? Women: How do you feel about waiting to be pursued, not just in theory, but in reality? Watch Part Two
With my recent trip to Oxford, I have had C.S. Lewis on the brain. I want to continue the conversation inspired by his writings in Mere Christianity, and would love to hear your take on “the thrill.” Part II: The Thrill People get from books the idea that if you have married the right person you may expect to go on ‘being in love’ forever. As a result, when they find they are not, they think this proves they have made a mistake and are …
How do I forgive people who have INTENTIONALLY hurt me? Made me suffer? How do I forgive evil? Will they get what they deserve? God will bring justice. Right? “Lord, help me to want to forgive.” This was the bold prayer of my friend who grew up with parents who were in a cult. They subjected her to every type of sexual and sadistic abuse you can think of. This friend came to mind during two lectures I heard during my recent trip to Oxford. …
First: This picture kills me. Partly because she looks like she just turned seven years old, and partly because my face is indicative of events that would follow 4.28 minutes later. This was taken the first week at a place in Switzerland called L’abri. Erin talked me into sledding down the side of an alp and 4.19 minutes later I thought it would be a good idea to sled…STANDING UP. 4.28 minutes later I had broken my ankle. Little did I know my photo face would …
Hi Friends, Many of you have written in questions asking about the topic of respect, so I did a series called the Respect State of The Union (better known as #RSOTU on Twitter). In that series of 15 videos, I answered 10 questions, and then talked with a group of guys about their thoughts on respect. Many of you enjoyed the series and my hope was that it started the ball rolling for us to talk about this touchy topic more. I personally had some …
Today you can see an interview I did with fellow Westmont alum, Paul Angone. He has launched a website to talk about his upcoming book, All Groan Up. In that book he discusses his post-college journey…aka, “now what?!” Paul has a heart to help 20-somethings talk about living in the “now what” and is doing so by covering a myriad of topics. One of topics is, relationships. I was honored to chat with him, and can only pray that the skype demons that froze Paul’s …
I recently joined 4Word – a group of amazing women who are committed to supporting each other in balancing career and relationships in light of their faith. I was honored when founder, Diane Paddison invited me to do an interview for their blog, which you can read today… Interview: Joy Eggerichs Joy Eggerichs is a blogger, writer, researcher on relationships, sister, new aunt, and daughter of parents who write and speak about marriage. When directing the conferences for her parents’ ministry, Love and Respect, she overheard …
Ask Joy I don’t think it’s fair that my boyfriend at college might go home some weekends to see his family, when I can’t see mine because they live too far away. I don’t want him going home without me. What should I do? My Response If I were talking with your boyfriend, I wouldn’t tell him to break up with you…yet. Question Okay, so it’s easy to laugh at this question, but if we’re honest with ourselves, we’ve all had moments of responding with pouting …
Ask Joy How do I set good emotional boundaries, or know when and how to share things in a relationship? My Response Another video in the cemetery…shocker. And a couple of my personal stories. Question Do you sometimes question whether or not the Spirit will respond when you invite him into a situation? Is it possible that He is there, but in a way that you weren’t expecting or able to recognize? What has been your experience?
Ask Joy I’ve been talking to this guy for a couple of weeks, and last night he confided in me what he considers to be his darkest secret. It’s weird, and it freaks me out. How much would it still freak me out if this relationship were to result in marriage? My Response So I took a little “creative license” with this one…Enjoy! Question Seriously…what could it be?? I know you guys have some weird ideas in you. And on a more serious note, how …
If you need to catch up on the first part of this series, check out Know Me: Part 1 and Know Me: Part 2. So let’s consider Mrs. McGillicutty. She’s sitting at table #14 sipping her water as all her grandchildren (whom she sees once a year) hit the dance floor. Problem: Her grandchildren (who don’t even know all the moves to the Macarena) are missing out on an untapped treasure trove of wisdom. I would consider this a problem. Art of Asking Questions: Seeking …
If you missed the first post in this series, check out Know Me: Part 1. Now, let’s consider your date to the wedding… Problem: You’re standing in line for the bathroom. (No, not that kind of problem.) Your friend (who really does have a bladder problem) wants the scoop on your date and what makes you two such a good match. Your answer consists of, “Oh, we just have so much fun together!” That’s great. But if the list ends there, I would consider that …
Ask Joy I have been in a great relationship with my boyfriend for three years. I can’t picture myself with anyone but him. Recently, many of my friends have either gotten engaged, gotten married, or had babies. I feel like I am the odd woman out. I am eager to get married and continue the next stage of my life. When I discuss marriage with my boyfriend, he usually says, “Patience is a virtue,” and leaves it at that. I want to speed things up, …
Ask Joy I’m interested in this great person. All my friends say, “Be open to the relationship…but guard your heart.” What does that actually mean? My Response Questions In relationships have you ever done the wise thing over the pain free thing? Since most people associate “guarding your heart” with playing it safe, how does one guard his/her heart by the video’s definition? Any other phrases like “guard your heart” that cause you to pause and think, “Hmmm, what does that actually mean?” p.s. Confused …
Ask Joy How do I talk to my boyfriend about his temptations? I haven’t seen anything or experienced anything with him that makes me concerned, but I think it would be naive to assume he doesn’t struggle. I know that I do, and I guess I just want an open conversation. Maybe just be honest about my own struggles and ask him about his? Part 1: SAFETY Part 2: SHOULD I? My Response Part 3: SHOCKED Don’t be. If you want an honest conversation, you …
Ask Joy How do I talk to my boyfriend about his temptations? I haven’t seen anything or experienced anything with him that makes me concerned, but I think it would be naive to assume he doesn’t struggle. I know that I do, and I guess I just want an open conversation. Maybe just be honest about my own struggles and ask him about his? Part 1: SAFETY My Response Part 2: SHOULD I? Pray. Don’t discount this instruction as “Joy is just saying this because …
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